The Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with violating some aspects of the Electoral Law of 2022.

The group, in a statement on Monday, said that the INEC has not complied with Section 19 (1) of the Act which deals with the display of voter registration throughout the country.

The section requires the commission to set aside “a seven-day period during which a copy of each local government, area council, or district voter registry shall be displayed or published for public scrutiny in each registration area and on its website.” or any website established by the Commission for that purpose.”

The group, in its observation, admitted that the INEC has posted voter registration but is not in full compliance with the law.

According to the declaration of the convergents, Ene Obi, Asmau’u Joda, and James Ugochuckwu, the commission only displayed voter registration at the LGA levels, not at the registration centers as stipulated by the Law.

They noted that such a breach might have robbed some Nigerians of the opportunity to object to some of the names on the register.

“INEC had displayed the voter registry in its Local Government Area Offices nationwide for seven days, from August 15 to 21, 2022, for citizens to make claims and objections.

“This is a vital aspect of the electoral process that promotes the credibility of voter registration as citizens can object to the name of a person on the register who is not qualified to register as a voter in that area, or who is deceased, or whose name has been withheld,” she said.

The Situation Room also urged the electoral body to digitize the process as mandated by the new Act and save Nigerians from unnecessary stress.

“We demand that the INEC comply with this provision by displaying the registry at the Registry/District Area level and on its website for 7 days.

“This must be done before the Commission begins printing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for new registrants. As we get closer to the elections, we urge the electoral management body to fulfill its responsibilities in accordance with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Law,” the group said.

The Situation Room is made up of over 70 Civil Society Organizations (CSOS) working in support of credible and transparent elections in Nigeria.